Report Abuse

Report this review to the Review Centre Team

Here at Review Centre we work hard to make sure we are the best place on the internet for honest, unbiased consumer reviews - we are grateful for your help in keeping us that way!

2000145

Why are you reporting this review?

If you represent this business why not claim your page by creating a Free Business Account where you will receive improved review monitoring functionality.


★★★★★

“BMW 520d (F10) Brilliant car!”

written by MrC-esq on 22/04/2013

First BM after another German car manufacture.
Mine 520d SE. with Sport auto gearbox, steering wheel, VDC, adaptive lighting.
Boring bits - on a run if taking it steady, close to speed limits I can easily get 50+ mpg ( highest to day over 100 miles plus has been 58, which is I think exceptional). However on normal commuting - ~ 30 - 40 miles a day the average is 'only' around 44-48mpg.
The gear box is very good, not perfect but not far off.
The VDC is a useful addition, 'sport' does firm things up nicely while still remaining comfortable for long distances. It is a shame you can not configure the drive modes separately from the 'suspension' modes as I like the way the Eco mode hangs on to the gears better / less changes, allowing you to use the engines torque rather than (too?) early down shifts. I must admit that the flappy paddles 'manual' mode is rather superfluous to 99% of driving.

I have done 600 miles a day in this car and not felt at all drained, I only wish I could get a job driving one about all day!

One thing that I find outstanding is the adaptive and Xenon lighting, if you ever drive on unlit roads it is simply a tremendous step forward in driver benefit and safety on bendy roads - you really should add this one on!

I use winter tyres on the standard 17" wheels and this car feel more planted than all front wheel drive cars I had!
I do tend to agree that Runflats do seem to detract a little from ride comfort, also other than looks I not convinced that larger wheels offer much (any?) advantage over the standard sized 17" wheels (do note that the larger wheel and tyre sizes do decrease economy, even on BM's own website)!

A well built and comfortable car with good performance and running cost balance.
(Sure, I'd love a 530 / 535 but at +8K / +11K and the increased costs, how much would I actually use the difference, 5-10% of the time)?



Was this review helpful? 0 0